Gambling has evolved in very complex ways, meaning that players can now pursue many entertaining activities that represent some form of gambling. This activity dates back to ancient times and continues to surprise the public with innovative and creative games that manage to excite all players.
Everyone, even people who don’t really pursue gambling activities, knows that casino games are captivating and able to keep them hooked for a long time. Nevertheless, there are many ways to restrict the gameplay and ensure that gamblers can play safely, without making it the highlight of their life story.
Having an addictive personality makes it unquestionably difficult to quit, but being careful from the start and prioritizing your mental health and your life as a whole will make it almost impossible to find yourself in a difficult situation.
What Does Playing Responsibly Mean?
According to the California Council on Problem Gambling, responsible gameplay refers to “gambling which does not cause problems in your everyday life.” As with many other aspects of our lives, the most important form of action we can take when we want to maintain control over a situation is to set healthy boundaries.
Online casinos that function according to legitimate licenses, such as UKGC, will provide you with the possibility of using some tools that will restrict your gameplay to the extent that you can still have fun.
The 4 Most Effective Responsible Gambling Tools
If you take a look at one casino’s responsible gambling page, you’ll find some of the following tools. The experts from SlotsCalendar identify online casinos and review them, after analyzing the responsible gaming pages of these websites as well.
Keep in mind that not all casinos will provide these types of limits, but the ones that do are the most respectable. Thus, you can even take these tools as a sign that your chosen casino is a safe spot.
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Deposit Limits
One good way to limit your budget while gambling is by setting some deposit limits, so that you’re keeping a balance between entertainment spending and your necessities. Sometimes, you’ll be able to set your own limits during the registration process, or you’ll find them on the responsible gambling page. If you cannot find it, you can ask the live chat support, as it will often be available on gambling websites.
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Reality Check Timers
Some gambling websites have a reality check timer feature that will let you know how much time you’ve spent there. This is an overall good solution at the beginning, but some gamblers eventually reach a point where they simply ignore it. Usually, the most effective tool is the deposit limit.
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Time-outs
If you need a break, some casinos permit you to take some time off from the casino websites. You can choose how much time you’d like your break to last, but it won’t be permanent. This is something you can do if you need to refrain for a short period, such as a day or two.
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Self-Exclusion
If you feel like your gambling days are over, and you wish to step away from this entertaining activity, it’s completely fair to self-exclude. To do that, you can ask the customer support of your casino to help you take care of it and close your account.
If you’d like to permanently lock your account at all online casinos in your country, we suggest contacting your national gambling authorities and registering a self-exclusion request. Most regulatory bodies accept some requirements of such sort, making sure you will no longer have contact with any online casino from your region.
Focus on Your Real Life
More importantly than anything else, you’ll always need to focus on keeping your health on top, both mentally and physically, continue maintaining your day-to-day hobbies, and talk to your friends and family. Physical connection and a healthy lifestyle are key to remaining aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re a gambler.
Eat Healthy & Stay Hydrated
Although maintaining a balanced diet and drinking the right amount of water may seem superficial, people often overlook them when discussing mental health.
According to Health Direct, you would need to “eat a balanced diet with a range of fruit, vegetables, grains and protein”, “drink plenty of water because dehydration affects both our body and our mental health,” and “limit how much alcohol and caffeine you have.”
Furthermore, if your mind is clear and your gut is healthy, you should be able to keep your thoughts aligned and make good decisions regarding your next gambling session.
Socialize
The Lonely gamble – A longitudinal study of loneliness, gambling to escape and problem gambling study has shown that “gambling problems predict future loneliness and gambling to escape predicts future gambling problems.” What can you do about it? You can start by going out, seeing your friends and family, engaging in activities unrelated to casino playing, and taking some time off from entertaining yourself online.
Organize Your Income
What’s the most responsible thing to do before playing is to organize your income. Thus, if you have a limited amount of cash that you use for buying food, paying bills, transportation, and clothing, you should never start gambling. It’s a known fact that casinos always win, while players are spending. If you cannot afford to indulge in playing at the casino, you should avoid it, as it can only affect your life in the long run.
Sleep Well
Being a night owl, staying up all night is something you must avoid, as rest is not only necessary but also mandatory. Grab a cup of tea, watch a movie, and lie down. There’s plenty to do in a home, and when it’s late at night, it’s good to rest.
Warning Signs
In the earlier stages, some warning signs signal that it’s time to get a break from playing. Most responsible gambling pages include a self-assessment test that could help you figure out if you’re in such a position. Basically, you’ll find a long list of questions you’ll have to answer in order to figure it out, such as:
- Is gambling influencing your relationships?
- Do you play out of boredom or loneliness?
- Has playing casino games ever created disputes at home?
- Do you often exceed your preestablished limits when gambling?
It is important to be aware of your addiction, as it becomes easier to get to the next step, which is handling it.
How to Get Psychological Help
National Problem Gambling Helpline is one of the most effective ways to get immediate help. Whenever you feel lonely and wish to talk to someone, make a call. This could be your first step to getting help. GamCare also offers an online chat for those who prefer texting, so feel free to reach out.
Final Points
The complexity behind achieving both a healthy lifestyle and gambling is worth discussing. In reality, online casino players are some of the most vulnerable and never get to learn about the real cost of gambling. Thus, the best solution would be to focus on what’s most important, which is your life.
